Happenstance

Chapter 32: A Not So Friendly Game of Quidditch

Draco had officially changed his mind. Landon's learning how to crawl was not the best moment in his life, it was the worst. Well, maybe not the worst, but it was right up there. His mother hadn't been kidding when she said that things were going to change, and she'd hit the nail right on the head when she said that Landon's mobility would drive them up the wall. Not once since the baby had been born had either of his parents ever lost or misplaced him, but now that Landon was able to crawl, he made it a point to never stay in one place too long. All his parents had to do was turn their heads for a moment or two, and he was off. It had gotten so bad, that Luna had put up wards that would go off every time Landon passed through them, that way they'd always be able to track where he'd gone off too.

Luckily, Draco had made sure that the decorators baby proofed the manor when they had decorated it, otherwise, there would have been a great many opportunities for the baby to get hurt. Even still, Landon had managed to incur the usual bumps and bruises a mobile baby is faced with. While Draco knew that these accidents were unavoidable, thanks to Lanny's curiosity and mischievous nature, after all he was a Malfoy; Luna on the other hand, took it to mean that she was an irresponsible mother. No matter what Draco or their parents said to her, Luna was convinced that every bump, bruise or scratch that Lanny had on his body was a testament of her failure as a parent. So, after only having been at her job for a few months, Luna went to her father and informed him that she would be unable to take the position as editor of the Quibbler.

Luke had been disappointed that his daughter wasn't going to fill in his shoes at the Quibbler, but at the same time he understood why. All she wanted was to be a good mother, and if she didn't feel that she could do that while heading up one of the largest magazines in the Wizarding World, then he was okay with her passing on his offer. Luckily, Luna did agree to take the position as creative advisor, which meant that she would be present for all board meetings. This was a big deal for the Quibbler, because Luna had come up with a great many ideas that would change the entire layout of the paper, along with peoples perception of the company. Luke knew that without her help, they probably wouldn't be able to put those ideas into action.

Another reason Luna's father was okay with his daughters decision to leave the Quibbler on a full-time basis, was because he had a sneaking suspicion that Draco had something big planned, that had to do with her research on a cure for Obliviate. He didn't have a clue what it could be, but Lucius had made several offhand comments about it over the last few weeks, and Luke couldn't get it out of his head.

Ever since the afternoon they'd found out that their children where getting married, Luke and Lucius had become almost inseparable, much to Narcissa chagrin. As she'd said that afternoon, when Lucius and Severus had gotten together, Severus had more often than not, talked Lucius out of doing some of the rather stupid things he'd had planned. But Luke didn't do that. Instead, he egged Lucius on and encouraged him. She knew that if those two walked through the door, trying their best to look innocent, chances were they'd done something stupid... something really stupid. She couldn't help but compare it to the trouble that Draco and his friends had caused in their youth, except now she didn't have to contend with thirteen year olds and their magical capabilities, but middle aged wizards and their magical expertise.

On the upside, Lucius and Luke's friendship, allowed her the opportunity to get to know Rosmerta, and the two had developed a very close friendship too. Ever since the fall of the Dark Lord, his surviving and un-imprisoned former followers had made it a point to sever ties with one another, as to avoid suspicions; the only exception being those who were married to one another. So, Narcissa had lost most of her close friends. Rosmerta, who had always been a friendly woman, had a rather large circle of friends and she had been more than willing to introduce Narcissa to them. While most already knew who she was, and because of this they were wary, eventually they warmed up to her.

As Narcissa and Lucius' circle of friends increased, the less likely it seemed that Draco and Luna were going to get their small intimate ceremony. They'd planned on it being just their family and close friends, but Narcissa and Lucius had mentioned that they wanted to invite all of the their new friends as well. Seeing how happy they were, neither of their children argued, but inwardly they were ready to start throwing hexes.

"Draco," Luna said, as she and her fiance headed up the drive to Malfoy Manor, Draco pushing Landon's stroller in front of him. "Your Mum and Rosmerta are driving me mad. Everyday, their at the house trying to get me to decide on something for the wedding. The wedding planner's at the house so much, Landon keeps calling him Mama."

"When do you think he'll start saying Dada?" Draco asked, a slightly offended tone to his voice. "Its been weeks since he started with that Mama crap and I don't think I can take being called that much longer."

"He'll start saying it when he's ready," Luna sighed. "Now will you stop changing the subject."

"Sorry, love," Draco laughed. "My Mum just doesn't want you to feel like they're taking over your wedding that's all. She wants you to feel like you planned it and that its what you want, not what they want you to want."

"I know they mean well, but it seems like they only come over when Landon's taking a nap, and as soon as he hears that we have company, he's up, and he expects to be the center of attention," Luna laughed, Draco joining in. They both knew that Landon was a ham. When he was in the room, all eyes had better be on him, or he'd throw a fit.

"Promise you won't get mad?" Draco asked, gently taking hold of Luna's arm and making her stop walking towards the house.

"No," Luna said. She knew that if he started out by making her promise that she wouldn't get mad, chances were he was about to say something that would piss her off.

"Come on," he begged. "Promise me you won't get mad."

"Fine," she huffed. "What?"

"I don't think its the wedding that's got you so crabby." Draco declared. "I think your bored."

"I'm not bored," Luna countered, her arms crossed over her chest. "I decided to stay home with Landon and I'm completely satisfied with that choice"

"Uncross your arms," Draco laughed, doing it for her. "I know that when you stand like that it means you're getting mad, and you promised you wouldn't get angry." Luna rolled her eyes, but let him lay her arms down at her sides. "I know you don't regret it, but we both know that you're not the sort of person who can be happy with just doing one thing all the time. I think that maybe you should take up painting again. You put together your painting room months ago, and you haven't painted a single thing. Or maybe even start doing some... I don't know, research."

"Landon keeps me busy," Luna said, leaning over and kissing Draco on the cheek. "But thanks for caring. Now can we get inside, its freezing out here and I don't want Lanny to catch a cold?"

"Alright," Draco said, smiling to himself. 'You'll be singing a different tune, when I give you your present,' he thought, inwardly praising his sneakiness.

"Do you think Blaise and Goyle are here yet?" Luna asked, turning back from where she was a few feet ahead of Draco, after having taken over pushing Landon's stroller.

"Probably," Draco answered, jogging to catch up with her. "All my father had to say was 'do you and your Dad's want to come over for a friendly game of Quidditch', and they were on their way."

"So, how friendly do you think this game is going to be?" Luna asked, a wiry smile on her face.

"No doubt it'll be brutal," he laughed. "You've got a group of middle-aged wizards who are in denial of the fact that their getting old, so they decide to challenge their young son's to a game of Quidditch. Needless to say, we're going to hand them their balls on a stick."

"Go easy on them," Luna said, sounding a bit worried. Draco may be right, their fathers were trying to reaffirm their youth, but it wasn't like they were dealing with your everyday wizards. They were dealing with mostly dark wizards, none of whom liked to lose; and the most dangerous of the bunch happened to be her soon-to-be husbands, father. "Be careful," Luna called out, as Draco headed to the full sized Quidditch pitch his father had built in their backyard when Draco was just eight years old. Luna didn't think Draco was taking this friendly Quidditch game serious enough, and chances were, he'd end up regretting it.

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"I thought you said this was going to be a nice afternoon," Narcissa huffed, as she held open the front door so Blaise and Goyle could carry Goyle Sr. inside. Turns out, things had gone exactly as Draco had said they would. It had been a brutal game, and though they'd tried, their father's simply couldn't get the upper hand. This wouldn't have been the case under normal circumstances, because they simply would have used magic to hold their opponents at bay. But since these were their children, and because their wives had made it very clear that if they so much as harmed a single hair on their 'babies' heads, they would be 'tending to their own needs for months'; they refrained from using magic to their advantage. This restraint, resulted in the fathers being completely obliterated by their sons.

"Well, now that this pathetic display is over with, maybe you guys can help us come up with some ideas for the menu for the wedding," Narcissa said, earning her groans from all of the men and Luna. "Well if you're going to act like that, then we don't want your help," she snapped. "Us ladies will take care of it."

"Actually," Draco said, sensing that Luna was about to snap. "I was hoping that maybe you guys could watch Lanny for a bit. I kind of wanted to take Luna out for supper. I've got a present to give her."

"Ohhh," Blaise and Goyle said at the same time, in a mocking manner. "What kind of present?"

"I think they're going to shag," Blaise said, laughing.

"No, I've got a very special gift to give her. You know, the one you two helped me pick out," Draco said, urging his friends to shut up.

"Oh," Blaise said, winking at Draco. "Yeah, you two lovebirds head out, Goyle and me will watch the Lanster."

"I thought we agreed that you would never call my grandson that again," Lucius said, glaring at Blaise warningly.

"Right you are, Mr. Malfoy," Blaise corrected, patting him on the shoulder, knowing full well that it would hurt the ailing middle-aged wizard. Lucius winced as his body shook thanks to Blaise's ministrations, before slapping the boys hand away.

"Narcissa wouldn't you rather keep Landon with you?" Luna asked pleadingly. "I'm sure you boys would like to spend some time with your other friends today.

"No, we'll watch the baby," Goyle said, plucking Landon up from out of Luna's arms and heading down the hall. "Come on Lanny, lets get you changed so we can go pick up some chicks."

"Draco," Luna huffed, gesturing at Goyle and Blaise's retreating forms.

"It'll be okay," Draco said, hoping to comfort her. "They're a lot smarter than they look... I think." Luna didn't look too convinced. "Look, I'm going to run upstairs and get showered and changed, and then we'll head up to Muggle London for a nice relaxing evening, okay. Don't worry about Landon. He'll be fine."

"Easy for you to say," Luna grumbled, plopping down next to her dad, who looked completely exhausted after the game of Quidditch, and resting her head on his shoulder.

"Luna, love," her dad said, wincing. "Can you move you head, my shoulder's killing me from when I fell off my broom."

"I don't see why you're complaining," Severus Snape piped in, "you landed on me." Everyone started laughing, recalling the rather comical sight of Luke falling from his broom and taking Severus out in the process, both landing in a heap on the ground. The sound of their laughter must have gotten Landon's attention, as a few moments later, Snape felt something tugging on his pants leg. Looking down, he saw the trademark Malfoy eyes belonging to Landon, staring up at him. The baby's arms were outstretched, beckoning Severus to pick him up. To appease the child, Snape bent down, slowly thanks to his sore back, and retrieved the baby from the floor, sitting him atop his lap. Curling up against Snape's chest, Landon lay down and closed his eyes.

"Where the hell did he go?" Blaise could be heard hissing, down the hall. "Its been five minutes and we've already lost him. Draco's going to kick our asses!"

"I wouldn't be as worried about Draco as I was Luna," Goyle said, sounding worried. "You lost her kid."

"Me?" Blaise asked. "You're just as much a part of this as I am."

"No, you put him down on the floor, not me," Goyle countered. "This is all on you."

"Are you kidding me!" Blaise shouted. "This is bullshit! What ever happened to friendship?"

"It doesn't count when it comes to losing our best mates baby," Goyle replied, walking into the sitting room where everyone else was. Immediately his eyes zoned in on the tiny baby nestled against Snape's chest. "Blaise!" he called. "I think I found that thing we were looking for."

"Narcissa," Luna said,her voice slightly panicked, "do you think you could watch those two for me?"

"Planned on it," Narcissa replied, winking at the concerned young mother. "I've got my hands full tonight," she whispered, laying her head against her husbands shoulder. Lucius was too busy pouting over having lost the Quidditch match to notice.

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I CHANGED MY MIND. INSTEAD OF JUST SKIPPING OVER THE TIME BETWEEN CHAPTER 31 AND THE WEDDING, I'M GOING TO WRITE A FEW SHORT CHAPTERS ON IT; AND I DO MEAN SHORT. THERE ARE JUST TOO MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR DRACO TO MAKE A MESS OF THINGS, FOR ME TO JUST PASS OVER IT. SO, DON'T BE SURPRISED IF THE NEXT COUPLE OF CHAPTERS ARE ONLY A PAGE OR TWO LONG, THEY'LL RETURN TO THEIR USUAL LENGTH ONCE THE WEDDING IS CLOSER.

ALSO JUST SO YOU GUY'S NO, WHILE I'M NOT A HUGE FAN OF THE TRIO, THERE IS A POINT TO MY MAKING THEM SEEM LIKE SUCH JACKASSES, AND WHY HARRY AND RON ARE HAVING A BIT OF A PROBLEM WITH ALCOHAL. IT'LL ALL BE EXPLAINED PRETTY SOON.

ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR AMAZING REVIEWS. YOUR INPUT HELPS ME FIGURE OUT IF I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK OR NOT : )

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ENJOY STORIES WHERE DRACO AND THE TRIO GET ALONG, YOU MAY WANT TO TAKE A PEEK AT THE FIRST STORY I EVER WROTE, CALLED INTENDED. IT'S ABOUT DRACO AND AN ORIGINAL CHARACTER, BUT THE TRIO MAKE THEIR PRESCENCE KNOWN. IT'S KIND OF LONG, BUT I THINK ITS A PRETTY DECENT READ.

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